Valve arrangement for an automatically sealing cup

ABSTRACT

A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet value in communication with an outlet value in communication therewith, each of the values including a resilient flexible diaphragm member. Each of the inlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, the cage having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member. The diaphragm member is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post in each cage is secured to the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its sealing. A predetermined level of fluid pressure differential across each diaphragm member courses, respectively, the diaphragm members to concavely bend away from their respective seat and thereby allow fluid flow through the valves. However, below the respective predetermined levels of fluid pressure differential, the diaphragm members sealinglingly abut their respective seats, thereby sealing the cup.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sealable cup for holding an ddispensing drinkable fluids. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to an improved arrangement for a sealable cup which sealsautomatically to prevent spillage of fluids therefrom when the cup isnot in use.

BACKGROUND ART

Cups are widely used for drinking liquids. These cups usually have anopen mouth. Travel mugs and other spill-resistant cups that come withlids or caps are also known for covering the mouth to resist spillage ofthe cup contents. In addition, sports bottles are often provided with ascrewed-on lid having a built-in straw, and a cap for sealing the end ofthe straw. Some of these sports bottles also have a manually operatedpop-up vent which is sealed when pushed down and open when pushed up.These sports bottles still suffer from the problem that they will emptytheir contents if the bottle is tipped sideways, unless, fortuitously,the straw had been previously manually capped, the vent had beenpreviously manually pushed down, and the fit between the aperture andthe lid and the straw was truly sealing.

One type of commercially available cup for use by anyone, andparticularly well suited for small children, includes a cup body and alid which fits sealingly onto the cup body, with the drinking spoutincorporated into the lid. Some self-sealing spill resistant cups areknown and commercially available. These spill resistant cups all sufferfrom a variety of disadvantages.

One example of such a cup is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,013 toBelanger. Belanger discloses a dripless liquid container for trainingand feeding a young person to drink. The container of Belanger has acup-shaped liquid housing and a lid which fits sealingly on the housing.The lid has a spout for drinking out of, with an outlet formed in thelid and in fluid communication with the spout. A spring-loadedself-sealing outlet valve is provided in fluid communication with theoutlet. The lid also has an air inlet formed therein which admits air toreplace the volume of fluid removed from the housing, with aspring-loaded self-sealing air rim and control valve in communicationwith the air inlet. The liquid container disclosed in Belanger becauseof the inclusion of the spring loaded valve is complicated tomanufacture and assemble. The configuration of the valve also makes itdifficult to clean and thus maintain sanitary conditions. Further, thecup disclosed in Belanger is relatively expensive.

Another example of a spill-resistant cup is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,890,620 to Belcastro. Belcastro improves on the liquid containerdisclosed in Belanger by eliminating the use of spring-loaded valves andutilizing self-sealing inlet and outlet valves which include disc shapedflexibly resilient diaphragm members. However, the drinking containerdisclosed in Belcastro utilizes a valve comprised of a plurality ofseparate and discreet parts in order to provide sufficient force on thediaphragm members to keep them from being open at all times. The use ofthese multiple parts provides a number of disadvantages, includingincreasing the cost of manufacture and assembly, as well as the time.Further, the more parts that are present, the longer a cup typicallytakes to clean or sanitize. Moreover, some of the valve parts arefree-floating and not rigidly secured therein. If these parts move, theycan affect the performance of the cup, including causing leakage, andpotentially raising safety concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automaticallysealing cup for use by infants and small children having improved valvemembers which particularly provide sanitary operation and areinexpensive and easily maintained.

It is another object of the present invention to provide anautomatically sealing cup having an inlet valve and an outlet valvewherein the inlet and outlet valves operate on a flexibly resilientdiaphragm principle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anautomatically sealing cup having inlet and outlet valves that areconstructed of less parts than prior valve arrangements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide anautomatically sealing cup having inlet and outlet valves that cannotbecome displaced with respect to the cup to ensure proper operation andno leakage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anautomatically sealing cup having a valve assembly that is smaller thanprior valve assemblies.

In accordance with the above and other objects of the present invention,an improved self-sealing drinking container is provided. Theself-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollowinterior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly whichfits sealingly onto the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passagewith an inlet valve in communication therewith, and also has an outletpassage with an outlet valve in communication therewith. Each of theinlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an openbottom to allow fluid to pass therethrough. Each of the inlet and outletvalves includes a locating member that extends toward a respective valveseat. Each of the locating members is secured to a flexible diaphragmmember which is positioned in the respective valve seat. Each diaphragmmember has a plurality of stiffening ribs that extend generally from anouter periphery of each flexible diaphragm member inwardly toward eachrespective locating member.

Other objects, features, advantages, and benefits of the presentinvention will become apparent from a review of the specification whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a young person drinking from anautomatically sealing cup in accordance with a referred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of an automatically sealing cup in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an automatically sealing cup in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken away cross-sectional side view of theautomatically sealing cup in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, taken along the line 4—4 in FIG. 2, illustratinga valve in a fluid passage state;

FIG. 5 is a partially broken away cross-sectional view similar to FIG.4, but showing the diaphragm members in a configuration such that fluidcannot flow from the cup;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a compound valve member in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the compound valve member takenalong the line 6B—6B of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the compound valve member takenalong the line 6C—6C in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6D is a bottom plan view of the compound valve member in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a diaphragm member with reinforcing ribsin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a diaphragm member with reinforcing ribs inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a top plan view of a locating member of a lid assembly inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a locating member in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a locating member mated with a diaphragmmember in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11A is a top plan view of a cage member which is another componentof a lid assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the cage member of FIG. 11A takenalong the line 11B—11B; and

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional end view of the cage member of FIG. 11Btaken along the line 11C—11C.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a diaphragm member in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the Drawings, an automatically sealing cup, for use byanyone, including for example an infant or young child, is showngenerally at 10. The cup 10 includes a cup body 12 having a hollowinterior 14 (see FIG. 4) for holding a drinkable liquid L such as. e.g.,water, milk or juice therein. The cup body 12 is preferably formed inthe shape of a generally tapered cylinder, and is preferably formed froma durable plastic material, such as polypropylene. The cup body 12includes an upper section 16 having threads 18 formed circumferentiallytherearound to threadably receive a lid assembly 20 thereon.

The lid assembly 20, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, is a composite assembly made up of several componentparts which will be briefly listed here, and which will be described infurther detail hereinbelow, along with the structural interrelationshipthereof.

The lid assembly 20 includes a lid casing 22 which serves as a main bodythereof (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The lid casing 22 has a substantiallycylindrical inlet passage 24 and a substantially cylindrical outletpassage 26 formed integrally therein on the lower surface thereof. Thelid assembly 20 preferably also includes an annular rubber orelastomeric gasket 28 fitted into the lid casing 22 for compressiblycontacting the upper section 16 of the cup body 12 when the lid assembly20 is threadably installed thereon, to thereby form a fluid-tight sealtherebetween (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The lid assembly 20 further includes a compound valve assembly 30 whichfits into the underside of the lid casing 22. The compound valveassembly 30 includes an outlet valve 32, received by the outlet passage26, and an inlet valve 34 received by the inlet passage 24. The outletand inlet valves 32, 34 are preferably interconnected by a connector bar36 whereby both valves can be installed and removed from the lid casing22 simultaneously. Advantageously, according to the present invention,each of the outlet and inlet valves 32, 34 operate on a resilientdiaphragm principle, which will be detailed hereinbelow.

The lid assembly 20 includes a lid casing 22 which serves as a main bodythereof. As mentioned, the lid casing 22 is preferably formed from adurable plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The lidcasing 22 has a substantially cylindrical inlet passage 24 and asubstantially cylindrical outlet passage 26 formed integrally therein onthe lower surface thereof. The lid casing 22 also includes a cylindricalcollar 38 extending therearound. The lid casing 22 has internal threadsformed inside the cylindrical collar 38 to threadably engage andintermesh with the external threads 18 of the cup body 12 for screwingthe lid assembly 20 thereon. Preferably, the cylindrical collar 38 isknurled on an outer surface thereof to provide gripping as an aid tothreading the lid casing 22 onto and off from the cup body 12. The lidcasing 22 further includes an integrally molded spout 42, having one ormore outlet holes 44 formed therethrough at the uppermost extensionthereof. to allow liquid to pass outwardly therefrom. The lid casing 22further has an orifice 92 located remote from the spout 42 for allowingair to enter therethrough into the cup.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the compound valve assembly 30 forms asubassembly of, and a part of, the lid assembly 20. The compound valveassembly 30, as previously noted, includes an outlet valve 32 and aninlet valve 34, which are interconnected by the connector bar 36. Theoutlet and inlet valves 32, 34 are constructed substantially similarlyto one another, but are oriented in a mutually inverted relationshipbecause of the different directions of flow therethrough.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A through 6C, a compound valve member 46 is apart of the compound valve assembly 30, and includes parts of both theinlet and outlet valves 34, 32. The connector bar 36, which connects theoutlet valve 32 to the inlet valve 34, is also part of the compoundvalve member 46.

The compound valve member 46 includes a generally barrel-shaped firstcage member 48 which is open at the top and bottom thereof. The firstcage member 48 provides a housing for the outlet valve 32. As isdiscussed in more detail below, the outlet valve 32 is comprised of alocating member 50 and a diaphragm member 52 (see FIGS. 7 through 10).The first cage member 48 of the compound valve member 46 is shown on theleft thereof in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6B, and fits snugly into the outletpassage 26 of the lid casing 22, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The firstcage member 48 may be constructed to friction fit or snap into theoutlet passage 26, or may be glued or welded therein or otherwiseaffixed thereto. The first cage member 48 of the compound valve member46, preferably, has a pair of optional openings 56, 58 formed in thesides thereof to promote fluid flow therethrough (see FIG. 6C). Thefirst cage member 48 also has a circular outlet seat 60 formed insidethe bottom thereof, to receive the first diaphragm member 52 therein.The first cage member 48 further includes an opening 62 a defined by anannular internal flange 62. The internal flange 62 extends radiallyinwardly from, and below, the outlet seat 60 to prevent the firstdiaphragm member 52 from moving downwardly therepast.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, the first diaphragm member 52 isgenerally circular in shape and has an outer periphery 100 and a centralhub portion 102, having an outer surface 104 and an inner surface 106.The inner surface 106 of the hub portion 102 defines a bore 108. Thefirst diaphragm member 52 has a valve seat engaging surface 110 and anopposing non-valve seat engaging surface 112. The hub portion 102preferably extends generally upward and generally perpendicular to thenon-valve seat engaging surface 112. The first diaphragm member 52 alsohas a plurality of stiffening ribs 114 formed on the non-valve seatengaging surface 112. The stiffening ribs 114 assist in keeping thefirst diaphragm member 52 flatly abutting the outlet seat 60 in theabsence of a predetermined level of differential fluid pressure actingthereon.

In the preferred embodiment, four stiffening ribs 114 are formed on thefirst diaphragm member 52 such that they are uniformly disposed aroundthe central hub portion 102. The stiffening ribs 114 preferably extendfrom the outer periphery 100 into contact with the outer surface 104 ofthe central hub portion 102. Additionally, the stiffening ribs 114preferably gradually increase in height as they extend from the outerperiphery 100 to the hub portion 102. As shown, the inner portion 116 ofeach of the ribs 114 preferably terminates at the top portion 118 of thecentral hub portion 102. The stiffening ribs 114 may take on a varietyof configurations, but are preferably formed integral with the firstdiaphragm member 52 such that they form a single uniform piece.Additionally, there may be more or less than four ribs and they can benon-uniformly spaced about the periphery of the central bore. The firstdiaphragm member 52 is preferably formed from a silicone elastomer, andcooperates with the outlet seat 60 to form a selectively fluid-tightseal.

The locating member 50 fits into the first cage member 48 of thecompound valve member 46, as part of the outlet valve 32. The locatingmember 50 is generally T-shaped in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 9B,having a first locator post 64 extending downwardly from a perforatedcircular head 66. The first locator post 64 centrally terminates in asmall cylindrical projection 68, at the lowermost end thereof, whichfits engagingly into the central hub portion 102 in the first flexiblediaphragm member 52 to prevent the first flexible diaphragm members 52from becoming unmated with the first locator post 64. The firstdiaphragm member 52 is preferably press fit onto the first locator post64. Additionally, because of the configuration of diaphragm member 52and its attachment to the first locator post 64, the first cage member48 can be constructed relatively small, which provides material costsavings as well as a size decrease. The head 66 of the locating member50 is preferably generally circular in shape, and has one or moreapertures 70 formed therein to allow fluid flow therethrough.

The head 58 includes a right angled shoulder 72 on the side thereofwhich is dimensioned to fit inside the top of the first cage member 48of the compound valve member 46, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A circularexternal flange 74 extends horizontally outwardly above the shoulder 72,at the top of the head 66 of the locating member 50. The circularexternal flange 74 acts as a stop to limit the extent to which thelocating member can travel downwardly in the first cage member 48. Thelocating member 50 may be constructed to snap in place in the first cagemember 48, may fit therein by friction, or may be glued therein.However, it is preferred that the circular external flange 74 and theshoulder 72 be sonic welded to the first cage member 48.

The first cage member 48, the locating member 50, and the firstdiaphragm member 52, together make up the outlet valve 32 according tothe present invention and are thus preferably provided as a singleunitary piece, together with the inlet valve 34, as discussed in moredetail below. By securing these parts to and within the cage member 48,there are no floating or unattached parts as in prior valveconfigurations. This configuration minimizes any safety issues as thevalve has no unsecured parts that can become dislodged. Additionally,because the first diaphragm member 52 is secured to the locating member50, which is secured to the first cage member 48, the need for any othersupport pieces is eliminated, which decreases the manufacturing time andcost as well as assembly time and cost. Moreover, the locating member 50and the first diaphragm member 52 can be assembled as a single unit tothe first cage member 48, which decreases assembly time over prior valveconfigurations.

The compound valve member 46 also includes a second locator post 76which is shown on the right in FIG. 6B. and which forms a part of theinlet valve 34. The second locator post 76 is connected to the firstcage member 48 by the integrally formed connector bar 36, and extendsupwardly therefrom. A raised circular boss 78 extends upwardly on thecompound valve member 46, above the level of the connector bar 36 and atthe base of the second locator post 76, to provide an aligning surfaceto line up the second locator post 76 with the inside of a second cagemember 80 in assembling the inlet valve 34.

The inlet valve 34 also includes the second cage member 80, which isshown separately in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C. The second cage member 80 issimilar to, and shares a similar function with, the first cage member 48of the compound valve member 46, but is a separate piece which isdistinguishable therefrom. The first cage member 48 of the compoundvalve member 46 forms a part of the outlet valve 32, while by contrast,the second cage member 80 forms a part of the inlet valve 34 hereof.

The second cage member 80 has a generally hollow cylindrical barrelshape which is open at the top and bottom thereof to allow fluid flowtherethrough. The second cage member 80 has a circular inlet seat 82formed therein, at the top thereof, to receive a second diaphragm member84 therein. The second diaphragm member 84, like the first diaphragmmember 52, has a flexibly resilient disc-shape, with a plurality ofstiffening ribs 114, which are preferably formed of a silicone elastomerand integral with the second diaphragm member 84. The second diaphragmmember 84 is identical in all respects to the first diaphragm member 52,except that it is inverted. The second cage member 80 further has anopening 86 a defined by an annular internal flange 86 extending inwardlytherein above the inlet seat 82, to retain the second diaphragm member84 therebelow. The second diaphragm member 84 seats into the inlet seat82 so as to provide a selectively fluid-tight seal therebetween. Thesecond cage member 80 is dimensioned to fit snugly into the inletpassage 24 of the lid casing 22. It is preferred that the second cagemember 80 is attached to the connector bar 36 by sonic welding or othersuitable attachment means. Preferably, the second cage member 80 has apair of optional openings 88, 90 formed in the sides thereof to promotefluid flow therethrough.

The second cage member 80, the second diaphragm member 84, and thesecond locator post 76 of the compound valve member 46, together, makeup the inlet valve 34 in accordance with the present invention and arethus preferably provided as a singly unitary piece along with the outletvalve 32, as discussed above. By securing these parts to and within thecage member 80, there are no floating or unattached parts, whichminimizes any safety issues and prevents leakage that may result for anydisplacement of the diaphragm member 84. Additionally, the seconddiaphragm member 84 is secured to the locator post 76, by press-fittingthe second diaphragm member 84 thereon. Further, the boss 78 of thelocator post 76 is preferably sonic welded to the second cage member 80after the second diaphragm member 84 has been secured to the locatorpost 76. This configuration results in the usage of minimal space andallows for the valve member 46 to be made smaller than prior valvearrangements. Further, the inclusion of the stiffening ribs 114eliminates the need for any other support pieces, which decreases themanufacturing time and cost as well as the assembly time and cost.

In assembling the lid assembly 20 according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the first diaphragm member 52 is mated with thefirst locator post 64 by engaging the lowermost end of the first locatorpost 64 into the central hub portion 102 of the first diaphragm member52. The first diaphragm member 52 is then placed into the outlet seat 60formed in the first cage member 48 of the compound valve member 46 withthe circular external flange 74 abutting the first cage member 48. Thecircular external flange 74 is then secured to the cage member 48. Asthe first locator post 64 extends substantially to the outlet seat 60,it presses the first diaphragm member 52 into communication therewithand thereby prevents the first diaphragm member 52 from becomingdisplaced from the outlet seat 60. Further, the first diaphragm member52 cannot become displaced from the first locator post 64.

The second diaphragm member 84 is then secured to the second locatorpost 76 by placing the uppermost end of the second locator post 76 intoa raised central hub portion 102 formed in the second diaphragm member84. The second cage member 84 is then placed onto the raised boss 78 ofthe compound valve member 46, so that the second diaphragm member 84contacts the inlet seat 82. The second cage member 84 is then secured tothe compound valve member 46. As the second locator post 76 extendssubstantially toward the inlet seat 82, it presses the second diaphragmmember 84 into communication therewith and thereby prevents the seconddiaphragm member from becoming displaced from the inlet seat 76.Further, the second diaphragm member 84 cannot become displaced from thesecond locator post 76.

The assembly of the compound valve assembly 30 is then completed suchthat the compound valve assembly 30 is a separate single structure. Thevalve assembly 30 can then be installed into the lid casing 22, with theoutlet valve 32 thereof sealingly fitting into the outlet passage 26 ofthe lid casing, and the inlet valve 34 thereof sealingly fitting intothe inlet passage 24. As previously discussed, the compound valveassembly 30 is attached to the lid casing 22 by any suitable attachmentmeans.

In operation, each of the first and second diaphragm members 52, 84 areseated into their respective outlet and inlet seats 60, 82 and locatedthereat through their respective attachment to the first and secondlocator posts 64, 76, respectively. In this configuration, the first andsecond diaphragm members 52, 84 sealingly abut their respective outletand inlet seats 60, 82. However, when a predetermined level of fluidpressure differential across the first diaphragm member 52 occurs, thenthe first diaphragm member 52 concavely bends away from its outlet seat60, as the first locator post 64 prevents the central hub portion 102 ofthe first diaphragm member 52 from flexing. Accordingly, fluid isenabled to flow therethrough out of the cup. As fluid dispenses out ofthe cup, the air pressure inside the cup reduces below atmosphericpressure. Accordingly, a second predetermined level of fluid pressuredifferential across the second diaphragm member 84 occurs. As a result,the second diaphragm member 84 concavely bends away from the inlet seat82, as the second locator post 76 prevents the central hub portion 102of the second diaphragm member 84 from flexing. Accordingly, air isenabled to flow therethrough into the cup.

The predetermined level of pressure differential across the inlet valve34 to cause the second diaphragm member 84 to unseat may be small, inthat the hydraulic pressure exerted by liquid in the cup is in adirection to seat the second diaphragm member 84 on its inlet seat 82and is applied at the low pressure side of the pressure differentialacross the second diaphragm member 84. In contradistinction, in that thehydraulic pressure exerted by liquid in the cup is in a direction tounseat the first diaphragm member 52 from its outlet seat 60 and isapplied at the high pressure side of the pressure differential acrossthe first diaphragm member 52, the predetermined level of pressuredifferential across the outlet valve 32 is preferably at least equal tothe anticipated maximum hydraulic pressure of the liquid in the cupacting on the first diaphragm member 52 when the cup is in an invertedorientation, and further is at a value which is easily and comfortablyattained by a person sucking on the spout with his or her mouth duringthe act of drinking. The stiffening ribs 114 of each of the first andsecond diaphragm member 52, 84 act to press the diaphragm members intotheir respective valve seats 60, 80 when no pressure is being applied.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, when a person applies suction to thespout 42, which communicates with the outlet passage 26 through theapertures 70 in the locating member 50, the applied suction concavelyflexes and the first diaphragm member 52 away from the outlet seat 60,and permits liquid L from the interior 14 of the cup 10 to flow past thefirst diaphragm member and out of the spout 42. At the same time,lowered pressure in the interior of the cup 10 causes air outside of thecup 10 to press inwardly on the second diaphragm member 84 in the inletpassage 24, concavely flexing the second diaphragm member 84 away fromthe inlet seat 82, and allowing air to pass through an orifice 92 formedin the top of the lid casing 22 above the inlet passage 24. This airthen passes through the second cage member 80, via a series ofperforations 77 formed through the raised boss 78 of the compound valvemember 46 at the base of the locating post 76, and then passes into thehollow interior 14 of the cup body 12 to equalize pressure inside andoutside the cup 10.

When drinking stops, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the natural resiliency ofthe flexible first diaphragm member 52, as well as the second diaphragmmember 84, through the inclusion of the stiffening ribs 114, bias backinto their seated seating positions. The first diaphragm member 52 fitssealingly into the outlet seat 60 formed in the first cage member 48 ofthe outlet valve 32, to prevent spillage from the cup through the outletpassage 26, and the second diaphragm member 84 fits sealingly into theinlet seat 82 formed in the cage member 80 of the inlet valve 34, toprevent spillage from the cup 10 at the inlet passage 24.

Although the present invention has been described herein with respect toa preferred embodiment thereof. the foregoing description is intended tobe illustrative. and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art willrealize that many modifications of the preferred embodiment could bemade which would be operable. All such modifications which are withinthe scope of the appended claims are intended to be within the scope andspirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve assembly for a self-sealing drinkingcontainer, comprising: an outlet cage member having an open top portionand an outlet valve seat formed at its bottom portion; an inlet cagemember having an open bottom portion and an inlet valve seat formed atits top portion; a first locator member having a head portion, a postportion, and a tip portion; a first diaphragm member secured on said tipportion of said first locator member; said first diaphragm member havinga plurality of ribs formed thereon, said first diaphragm member beingdisposed in said outlet valve seat; a second locator member having ahead portion, a post portion, and a tip portion; a second locatordiaphragm member secured onto said tip portion of said second locatormember; said second diaphragm member having a plurality of ribs formedthereon, said second diaphragm member being disposed in said inlet valveseat; and a locator bar connecting said inlet cage member with saidoutlet cage member.
 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said headportion of said first locator member is sonic welded to an upper portionof said outlet cage member.
 3. The valve assembly of claim 2, whereinsaid head portion of said second locator member is sonic welded to alower portion of said inlet cage member.
 4. The valve assembly of claim3, wherein said first diaphragm member has a central hub portionextending generally upward from said outlet valve seat, said central hubportion having a bore formed therein for receipt of said tip portion ofsaid first locator member therein.
 5. The valve assembly of claim 4,wherein said plurality of ribs on first diaphragm member are uniformlydisposed about said central hub portion.
 6. The valve assembly of claim5, wherein each of said plurality of ribs extend from a periphery ofsaid first diaphragm member inwardly and terminate at said central hubportion.
 7. The valve assembly of claim 6, wherein each of saidplurality of ribs increase in height as they extend inwardly toward saidcentral hub portion.
 8. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein saidfirst diaphragm member is press fit onto said first locator member.
 9. Aself-sealing drinking container, comprising: a cup body hollow interiorfor holding and dispensing a liquid; a lid assembly sealingly engageablewith said cup body, said lid assembly having an inlet and an outlet; anoutlet valve located in said outlet for selectively sealing said outlet,said outlet valve comprising; an outlet seat; a flexibly resilient firstdiaphragm member seated at said outlet seat, said first diaphragm memberhaving a central hub portion raised from a surface opposite said outletseat; a first locator having an upper portion and a lower portion, saidlower portion being disposed in said raised central hub portion of saidfirst diaphragm member; and an inlet valve located in said inlet forselectively sealing said outlet, said outlet valve comprising; an inletseat; a flexibly resilient second diaphragm member seated at said inletseat, said second diaphragm member having a central hub portion raisedfrom a surface opposite said inlet seat; a second locator having anupper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being disposed insaid raised central hub portion of said second diaphragm member; whereinsaid first diaphragm member is sealingly seated at said outlet seatbelow a first predetermined level of fluid pressure differential appliedthereacross; and wherein said second diaphragm member is sealinglyseated at said inlet seat below a second predetermined level of fluidpressure differential applied thereacross; and wherein said firstdiaphragm member resiliently bends so as to unseal with respect to saidoutlet seat above said first predetermined fluid pressure differentialapplied thereacross, and wherein said second diaphragm memberresiliently bends so as to unseal with respect to said inlet seat abovesaid second predetermined level of fluid differential pressure appliedthereacross.
 10. The drinking container of claim 9, wherein said outletvalve regulates liquid flow out of said cup body, and wherein said inletvalve regulates air flow into said cup body responsive to said liquidflow out of said cup body.
 11. The drinking container of claim 10,wherein said inlet and outlet valves further comprise: a first cagemember located in said outlet, said outlet seat being formed in saidfirst cage member; and a second cage member located in said inlet, saidinlet seat being formed in said second cage member.
 12. The drinkingcontainer of claim 11, wherein said first and second cage members aremutually connected together to thereby form a compound valve assemblywhich sealingly interferes with said lid assembly.
 13. The drinkingcontainer of claim 11, wherein said upper portion of said first locatoris sonic welded to said first cage member to secure said outlet valve.14. The drinking container of claim 11, wherein said lower portion ofsaid second locator is sonic welded to said second cage member to securesaid outlet valve.
 15. The drinking container of claim 9, wherein aplurality of ribs are formed on said surface opposite said outlet seatof said first diaphragm member.
 16. The drinking container of claim 15,wherein said plurality of ribs are uniformly spaced about said centralhub portion.
 17. The drinking container of claim 15, wherein each ofsaid plurality of ribs extend from a peripheral portion of said firstdiaphragm member to said central hub portion.